Process for the preparation of 1-alkyl-3-aryl-4-pyrazolecarboxylates

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a process for preparing pyrazole carboxylates having the formula ##STR1##

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 898,572, filed Apr. 21, 1978, now abandoned, which in turn is a divisional of Ser. No. 715,011, filed Aug. 18, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,116,673 which in turn is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 645,181, now abandoned.

This invention relates to novel pyrazolecarboxylates having the formula ##STR2## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, agriculturally acceptable cations, alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenoxy lower alkyl, lower alkylthio lower alkyl and tetrafluorocyclobutyl methyl; R₁ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, halo, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; provided that X, Y and R may not simultaneously be hydrogen.

As used herein the term "lower alkyl" or "lower alkoxy" is meant to include those alkyl or alkoxy radicals having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, inclusive.

The term agriculturally acceptable cations is understood to mean those cations which are commonly used in herbicidal compositions to form the salt of the free acid, including but not limited to the alkali metal, substituted amine and ammonium cations.

It is known in the art that 4-pyrazole carboxylates may be prepared by reacting an enamine with an appropriate substituted hydrazine in the presence of a suitable solvent. For example, von Auwers, 59 BERICHTE p. 601-623 (1926), teaches the preparation of 3(5)-methyl-pyrazole-4-carboxylates. (See also, PYRAZOLES, PYRAZOLINES, PYRAZOLIDINES, INDAZOLES AND CONDENSED RINGS, L. C. Behr, R. Fusco and C. H. Jarboe, Interscience Pub., N.Y., 1967, pp. 106-107).

Preparation of the novel pyrazolecarboxylates of the present invention may be accomplished as follows: ##STR3##

METHOD I

In the above equations R, R₁, X and Y have the meanings previously described. Suitable solvents which may be mentioned are ethyl ether, acetone, dimethyl formamide, methanol, ethanol, and the like.

More specifically, a solution of 0.005 to 0.020 moles of the appropriate enamine, i.e., propenoic acid ester in 30-50 ml. of a solvent, e.g. ethyl ether, is cooled in an ice-methanol bath with magnetic stirring to 0° to -20° C. An equimolar amount of the appropriate hydrazine in 10-20 ml. of ether is added dropwise in 10-15 minutes. The reaction is complete within 5-60 minutes. The ether is washed with 5% HCl, dried, filtered and evaporated to an oil which shows two products on glc. Isomer IIIa is about 90% of the product. The two isomers are separated either by fractional crystallization or column chromatography.

A disadvantage of the prior art procedure is that said procedure is not selective for the novel 1-alkyl-3-aryl-4-pyrazole carboxylates of the present invention. Rather, isomeric mixtures of the two possible isomeric 4-pyrazole carboxylate, i.e., 1-alkyl-3(5)-aryl-4-pyrazolecarboxylates, are obtained. It will be appreciated that isolation of the desired 1-alkyl-3-aryl-4-pyrazole carboxylate isomer involves difficult and tedious separation procedures.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to the preparation of the novel 1-alkyl-3-aryl-4-pyrazole carboxylates of the above formula wherein only the desired isomer is obtained. A reaction which produces only the desired isomer of two possible isomeric forms is known in the art as a stereospecific reaction.

In the novel method of preparation of the 1-alkyl-3-aryl-4-pyrazole carboxylates described in detail below, the choice of solvent and the specific hydrazine used is critical to the stereospecificity of the reaction. It has been discovered that the reaction of an enamine (I) with the alkyl carbazate of formula II, in the presence of acetic acid as the solvent, yields only the desired 1-alkyl-3-aryl-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (IIIa) rather than isomeric mixtures of 1-alkyl-3(5)-aryl-4-pyrazole carboxylates.

The novel method of preparing the 1-alkyl-3-aryl-pyrazole-4-carboxylate of the present invention proceeds in accordance with the following reaction: ##STR4##

METHOD II

In the above reaction R, R₁, X and Y are as previously defined. It will be recognized that where R₁ is equal to hydrogen no isomeric ambiguity exists.

More specifically, the pyrazolecarboxylates of the invention may be prepared by preparing a solution containing equimolar quantities of the appropriate enamine, which in this case is a propenoic acid ester, and the appropriate alkyl carbazate in acetic acid. The solution is then heated at reflux for a time sufficient to complete the reaction, usually 1 to 2 hours. After removing the solvent by evaporation under reduced pressure, the residue is dissolved in ether and washed free of acetic acid with aqueous NaHCO₃. After the ether solution is dried, filtered and concentrated, the more volatile impurities are removed by Kugelrohr distillation.

The following examples are presented to more particularly illustrate the preparation of the novel pyrazolecarboxylates of the invention utilizing the novel process described by Method II. These examples are merely illustrative and are not intended as a restriction of the scope of the invention. Temperatures are understood to be in degrees Centigrade (° C.).

EXAMPLE 1

To a stirred solution of 6.30 g. (0.02 mol) of ethyl 2-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-toluoyl)-3-dimethylaminopropenoate in 50 ml. of ethyl ether cooled to -10° was added 3.3 g. of ethyl 3-ethylcarbazate (0.02 mol) assuming 80% purity. The ether was distilled off and replaced with 30 ml. of ethanol. The ethanol solution was heated at reflux for 4 hours. Glacial acetic acid (10 ml) was added and the solution heated at reflux. After two hours all starting material had been consumed. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure. The residual oil was dissolved in 100 ml. of ether and the solution washed with water, and 5% NaHCO₃ until free of acetic acid, again with water, then dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated to 5.79 g. viscous oil which resisted crystallization from ethyl ether, hexane, pentane, and Et₂ O-hexane, Et₂ 0-pentane mixtures.

The product was determined by NMR to be ##STR5##

Anal. Calc'd. C, 57.69; H, 4.84; F, 18.25; N, 8.97.

Found: C, 57.63; H, 4.76; F, 18.27; N, 8.82.

EXAMPLE 2

To 4.94 g. (0.02 mol) ethyl 2-benzoyl-3-dimethylaminopropenoate dissolved in 50 ml. of ethanol was added 3.0 g of ethyl isopropylcarbazate with 1.5 ml. of acetic acid. An additional 25.0 ml. of acetic acid was added and the solution heated to reflux for about 18 hours. The solvent was removed by evaporating and the resulting oil taken up in 100 ml. of ether and washed and then dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. Dry column chromatography on 270 g. Silica gel-G of 4.15 g of the oil gave two components developed with a 1:4 ethyl ether: pentane solution. Evaporation distillation gave 1.30 g. of a compound having the following formula ##STR6##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 69.74; H, 7.02; N, 10.84.

Found: C, 69.83; H, 7.05; N, 10.74.

EXAMPLE 3

A mixture of 0.025 mol of ethyl 2-(m-chlorobenzoyl)-3-dimethylaminopropenoate and 0.025 mol of ethyl 3-isopropylcarbazate in 25 ml. of acetic acid was heated to reflux for 1.5 hours and allowed to settle overnight at room temperature. After removing the solvent by distillation, the residue was dissolved in 200 ml. of ether and the ether solution washed with water, then with a saturated solution of NaHCO₃ until free of acetic acid. After drying, filtering and concentrating, 7.27 g. of an orange liquid remained. Upon evaporative distillation, 4.0 g. was obtained of a compound having the formula ##STR7##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 61.54; H, 5.85; Cl, 12.11; N, 9.57.

Found: C, 61.60; H, 5.81; Cl, 11.92; N, 9.50.

In accordance with the novel process described above the following Examples were prepared.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR8##                                                                      Compound             Analysis                                                  Example                                                                             R  R.sub.1                                                                             X    Y      C  H  F  N                                            __________________________________________________________________________     5    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   Isopropyl                                                                           3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H  Calc'd                                                                             58.89                                                                             5.25                                                                              17.47                                                                             8.58                                                              Found                                                                              59.11                                                                             5.12                                                                              17.31                                                                             8.62                                         6    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   n-Propyl                                                                            3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H  Calc'd                                                                             59.99                                                                             5.63                                                                              16.75                                                                             8.23                                                              Found                                                                              59.84                                                                             5.68                                                                              16.64                                                                             8.40                                         7    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   n-Propyl                                                                            3-CH.sub.3                                                                          H  Calc'd                                                                             70.56                                                                             7.40  10.29                                                             Found                                                                              70.42                                                                             7.50  10.47                                        8    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   Isopropyl                                                                           3-OCH.sub.3                                                                         H  Calc'd                                                                             66.65                                                                             6.99  9.72                                                              Found                                                                              66.50                                                                             6.95  9.85                                         9    C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                   Isopropyl                                                                           3-CH.sub.3                                                                          H  Calc'd                                                                             70.56                                                                             7.40  10.24                                                             Found                                                                              70.33                                                                             7.46  10.26                                        __________________________________________________________________________

The following examples are presented to further illustrate the preparation of the novel pyrazolecarboxylates of the invention. The procedure utilized in the following examples is that of Method I which was described above. These examples are presented merely as illustrations and are not intended as a restriction of the scope of the invention. As in the above examples, temperatures are understood to be in degrees Centigrade (°C.).

EXAMPLE 10

A solution of 1.92 g (0.005 mol) of ethyl 2-(3',5'-bis-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-3-dimethylaminopropenoate in 30 ml. of ether was cooled to -20°. After heating to reflux, a solution of 0.5 g of methyl hydrazine in 10 ml. of ether was added dropwise in 30 minutes with rapid stirring. To this solution was added a reaction mixture formed by adding dropwise a solution of 0.5 g of methyl hydrazine in ether to a solution of 1.92 g of the propenoate in 30 ml. of ether at -20°. Upon washing the combined solutions with water and 5% HCl, drying, filtering and concentrating, 4.0 g of colorless oil was obtained. This oil was then dissolved in pentane. Overnight crystals formed having a structure as follows: ##STR9##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 59.99; H, 5.63; F, 16.75; N, 8.23;

Found: C, 59.84; H, 5.68; F, 16.64; N, 8.40.

EXAMPLE 11

A solution of 5.63 g of ethyl 2-(m-chlorobenzoyl)-3-dimethylaminopropenoate (0.02 mol) in 50 ml. ethyl ether was cooled to -10°. A solution of 2.4 ml. of 98% methyl hydrazine in 15 ml. of ether was added dropwise in 10 minutes. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes and washed with 5% HCl, dried (MgSO₄) and filtered and concentrated to a slightly yellow oil. The oil was crystallized twice from hexane to give 2.50 g of slightly yellow needles having the formula ##STR10##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 58.99; H, 4.95; Cl, 13.39; N, 10.58.

Found: C, 58.94; H, 5.00; Cl, 13.44; N, 10.51

Alternatively the pyrazolecarboxylates of the invention may be prepared in accordance with the following examples.

EXAMPLE 12

A mixture of 3.05 g of ethyl 3-(α,α,α-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-4-pyrazolecarboxylate (0.0125 mole), 10 ml. of methyl iodide and 3.4 g of anhydrous potassium carbonate in 60 ml. of anhydrous acetone was heated at 40° for 30 hours. After cooling, the solid was separated and the solution concentrated to a yellow oil. The NMR of the crude oil indicated the presence of two isomers. Upon separation by chromatography 2.2 g of a product was obtained having the formula ##STR11##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 56.38; H, 4.39; F, 19.11; N, 9.39.

Found: C, 56.33; H, 4.31; F, 18.96; N, 9.14.

EXAMPLE 13

A solution of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-4-pyrazolecarbonyl chloride and excess of 2,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclobutylmethyl alcohol was heated on a steam bath for one hour. The reaction mixture was crystallized from ether-hexane to give 1.75 grams of a white solid. By NMR analysis the product was determined to be ##STR12##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 56.14; H, 4.12; N, 8.18.

Found: C, 55.99; H, 4.16; N, 7.93.

EXAMPLE 14

A solution of 18.0 grams of 1-methyl-3-(α,α,α-m-tolyl)-4-pyrazolecarboxylic acid ethyl ester and 24 grams of sodium hydroxide in 150 ml. of a 50% ethanol solution was heated at reflux for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuum and acidified with HCl to give 14.6 grams of a white solid. The solid was recrystallized from ether-methanol to give a white solid having the structure ##STR13##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 53.34; H, 3.36; N, 10.37.

Found: C, 53.24; H, 3.31; N, 10.37.

EXAMPLE 15

A solution of 2.0 g (0.01 mol) of 1-methyl-3-phenyl-4-pyrazolecarboxylic acid and 100 ml. of a 0.1000 N potassium hydroxide solution (Fisher certified) was stirred at room temperature under vacuum at 50° to give 2.2 g (92%) of a white solid having the structure ##STR14##

Anal. Calc'd: C, 54.98; H, 3.78; N, 11.66.

Found: C, 54.72; H, 3.76; N, 11.68.

In accordance with the procedures described above the following compounds have been prepared.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________      ##STR15##                                                                     Compound                       Analysis                                        Example                                                                             R        R.sub.1                                                                           X    Y        C  H  F  N  Cl                                  __________________________________________________________________________     16   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                          4-Cl H    Calc'd                                                                             58.99                                                                             4.95  10.58                                                                             13.39                                                          Found                                                                              59.12                                                                             4.90  10.55                                                                             13.30                               17   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                          4-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             56.38                                                                             4.39                                                                              19.11                                                                             9.39                                                              Found                                                                              56.46                                                                             4.50                                                                              19.29                                                                             9.31                                   18                                                                                   ##STR16##                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd Found                                                                       49.76 49.72                                                                       3.19 3.20                                                                            6.83 6.82                              19                                                                                   ##STR17##                                                                              CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd Found                                                                       52.26  52.53                                                                      3.51 3.50                                                                            8.13 7.97                              20   sec-butyl                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             58.89                                                                             5.25  8.58                                                              Found                                                                              58.75                                                                             5.21  8.46                                   21   n-hexyl  CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             61.01                                                                             5.97  7.91                                                              Found                                                                              60.84                                                                             6.08  7.89                                   22   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2OC.sub.6 H.sub.5                                                       CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             61.54                                                                             4.39  7.18                                                              Found                                                                              61.45                                                                             4.39  7.10                                   23   CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                      CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             53.62                                                                             4.78  7.82                                                              Found                                                                              53.70                                                                             4.78  8.05                                   24   Na.sup.+ CH.sub.3                                                                          H    H    Calc'd                                                                             58.93                                                                             4.04  12.49                                                             Found                                                                              59.09                                                                             3.79  12.60                                  25   Li.sup.+ CH.sub.3                                                                          H    H    Calc'd                                                                             59.36                                                                             4.81  12.58                                                             Found                                                                              59.35                                                                             4.78  12.28                                  26   Li.sup.+ CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             49.30                                                                             3.75  9.60                                                              Found                                                                              49.59                                                                             3.25  9.51                                   27   Na.sup.30                                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             47.01                                                                             3.13  9.15                                                              Found                                                                              46.92                                                                             2.72  8.84                                   28   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         H  3-OCH.sub.3                                                                         5-OCH.sub.3                                                                         Calc'd                                                                             60.86                                                                             5.84  10.14                                                             Found                                                                              61.09                                                                             5.71  10.01                                  29   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CH.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             68.61                                                                             6.72  11.35                                                             Found                                                                              68.83                                                                             6.60  11.47                                  30   (CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3                                                               CH.sub.3                                                                          3-CF.sub.3                                                                          H    Calc'd                                                                             58.89                                                                             5.25  8.58                                                              Found                                                                              58.62                                                                             4.97  8.57                                   31   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                          4-OCH.sub.3                                                                         H    Calc'd                                                                             64.60                                                                             6.20  10.76                                                             Found                                                                              64.52                                                                             6.23  10.74                                  32   C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                         CH.sub.3                                                                          3-OCH.sub.3                                                                         5-OCH.sub.3                                                                         Calc'd                                                                             62.06                                                                             6.25  9.65                                                              Found                                                                              62.29                                                                             6.42  9.68                                   __________________________________________________________________________

In accordance with the present invention, the pyrazole-carboxylates of the foregoing formula IIIa possess herbicidal properties. Table II summarizes results of tests conducted to determine the pre-emergent as well as the post-emergent herbicidal activity of the compounds. The pre-emergent test was conducted as follows:

A good grade of top soil was placed in aluminum pans and compacted to a depth of three-eighths to one-half inch from the top of the pan. On the top of the soil was placed a predetermined number of seeds or vegetative propagules of various plant species. The soil required to level fill the pans after seeding or adding vegetative propagules was weighed into a pan. A known amount of the active ingredient applied in a solvent or as a wettable powder and the soil were thoroughly mixed, and used as a cover layer for prepared pans. After treatment the pans were moved into a greenhouse bench where they were watered from below as needed to give adequate moisture for germination and growth.

Unless noted otherwise, approximately 28 days after seeding and treating, the plants were observed to determine all deviations from the normal growth habit and the results recorded. A herbicial rating code was used to signify the extent of phytotoxicity of each species. The rating are defined as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         % Control         Rating                                                       ______________________________________                                          0-24             0                                                            25-49             1                                                            50-74             2                                                             75-100           3                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The post-emergent tests were conducted as follows. The active ingredients are applied in spray form to two or three-week old specimens of various plant species. The spray, a solution or wettable powder suspension containing the appropriate rate of active ingredient to give the desired test rate and a surfactant, is applied to the plants. The treated plants are placed in a greenhouse and unless otherwise noted approximately four weeks later the effects are observed and recorded. The results are shown in Table III in which the post-emergent herbicidal rating code is as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         % Control         Rating                                                       ______________________________________                                          0-24             0                                                            25-49             1                                                            50-74             2                                                            75-99             3                                                            100               4                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The plant species utilized in these tests are identified by letter in accordance with the following legend:

    ______________________________________                                         A Canada Thistle   G Nutsedge                                                  B Cocklebur        H Quackgrass                                                C Velvetleaf       I Johnsongrass                                              D Morningglory     J Bromus tectorum                                           E Lambsquarter     K Barnyard grass                                            F Smartweed                                                                    ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Rate      Pre-Emergent          Post-Emergent                                  Compound                                                                             Kg/Ha                                                                              A B C D E F G H I J K A B C D E F G H I J K                          __________________________________________________________________________     1     *11.2                                                                              1 1 3 2 3 3 0 1 0 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1                                11.2                                                                               1 0 3 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 0                          10    *11.2                                                                              1 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 3 2 2 1                                                                              2 1 1 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                  11.2                                                                               0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 2 2 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 1                          17    11.2                                                                               0 0 0 0 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 0                          12    *11.2                                                                              2 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 2 3 1 1 1 3 2 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 1                                11.2                                                                               0 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 1       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 0                          18    *11.2                                                                              1 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1       0                                                                              1                                                                              1                                                                              1 1                          19    *11.2                                                                              1 0 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1       0                                                                              0                                                                              1                                                                              0 1                          20    11.2                                                                               0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 1 0 2 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              1                                                                              0 0                          21    *11.2                                                                              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 1       0                                                                              0                                                                              1                                                                              0 1                          22    *11.2                                                                              3 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 0                          23    *11.2                                                                              0 0 1 1 3 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1       0                                                                              1                                                                              0                                                                              0 1                          30    11.2                                                                               2 0 1 0 3 3 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 1 1 3 0       0                                                                              0                                                                              1                                                                              1 1                          31    *11.2                                                                              0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0                                                31    11.2                      0 0 1 1 4 4       0                                                                              0                                                                              0                                                                              0 1                          __________________________________________________________________________      *Plants observed approximately 14 days after treatment.                  

In addition, each of the compounds herein have been found to be effective in controlling up to 50% of at least one or more of the plant species listed above. A preferred embodiment is those pyrazolecarboxylates in which X is CF₃, especially in the meta position, R is alkyl and R₁ is lower alkyl, especially methyl. Specifically preferred are the compounds of Examples 1 and 12.

In addition, it should be noted that many of the novel pyrazolecarboxylates of the invention selectively inhibit the growth of undesirable weeds in the presence of crop plants, such as soybeans.

For the sake of brevity and simplicity, the term "active ingredient" has been used herein and is used hereinafter to describe the pyrazolecarboxylate compounds of Formula IIIa.

In practicing the herbicidal methods of this invention, the active ingredients can be used alone or in combination with a material referred to in the art as an adjuvant in liquid or solid form. Herbicidal formulations are prepared by admixing the active ingredient with an adjuvant including diluents, extenders, carriers and conditioning agents to provide compositions in the form of finely-divided particulate solids, granules, pellets, solutions, dispersions or emulsions. Thus, the active ingredients can be used with an adjuvant such as a finely-divided particulate solid, a liquid of organic origin, water, a wetting agent, dispersing agent, an emulsigying agent or any suitable combination of these. The herbicidal formulations usually contain from about 0.01 to about 99 percent by weight of active ingredient.

Typical finely-divided solid carriers and inert solid extenders which can be used with the active ingredients include, for example, the talcs, natural and synthetic clays (e.g. kaolinites and attapulgite), pumice, silica, synthetic calcium and magnesium silicates, diatomaceous earth, quartz, Fullers's earth, salt, sulfur, powdered cork, powdered wood, ground corn cobs, walnut flour, chalk, tobacco dust, charcoal, volcanic ash, cottonseed hulls, wheat flour, soybean flour, tripoli and the like. Typical liquid diluents include for example: petroleum fractions such as kerosene, hexane, xylene, benzene, Diesel oil, toluene, acetone, ethylene dichloride, Stoddard solvent, alcohols such as propanol, glycols and the like.

Herbicidal formulations, particularly liquids and wettable particles, usually contain as a conditioning agent one or more surface-active agents in amounts sufficient to render a given composition readily dispersible in water or in oil. By the term "surface-active agent" it is understood that wetting agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents and emulsifying agents are included therein.

Specific surface-active agents which can be used in the herbicidal formulations of this invention are set out, for example, in Searle U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,426,417; Todd 2,655,447; Jones 2,412,510 and Lenher 2,139,276. In general, less than 50 parts by weight of the surface-active agent is present per 100 parts by weight of phytotoxic formulation.

Preferred wetting agents are alkyl benzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sulfated fatty alcohols, amines or acid amides, long chain acid esters of sodium isothionate, esters of sodium sulfosuccinate, sulfated or sulfonated fatty acid esters, petroleum sulfonates, sulfonated vegetable oils, polyoxyethylene derivatives of alkylphenols (particularly isooctylphenol and nonylphenyl) and polyoxyethylene derivatives of the mono-higher fatty esters of hexitol and anhydrides (e.g. sorbitan). Preferred dispersants are methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium lignin sulfonates, polymeric alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, polymethylene bis-naphthalenesulfonate and sodium N-methyl-N-(long chain acid) laurates.

Wettable powder formulations usually contain from about 5 to about 95 parts by weight of active ingredient, from about 0.25 to 25 parts by weight of wetting agent, from about 0.25 to 25 parts by weight of dispersant and from 4.5 to about 94.5 parts by weight of inert solid extender, all parts being by weight of the total formulation. Where required, from about 0.1 to 2.0 parts by weight of the solid inert extender can be replaced by a corrosion inhibitor or anti-foaming agent or both.

Aqueous suspensions can be prepared by mixing together and grinding an aqueous slurry of water-insoluble active ingredient in the presence of dispersing agents to obtain a concentrated slurry of very finely divided particles. The resulting concentrated aqueous suspension is characterized by its extremely small particle size, so that when diluted and sprayed coverage is very uniform.

Dusts are dense finely divided particulate formulations which are intended for application to the soil in dry form. Dusts are characterized by their free-flowing and rapid settling properties so that they are not readily wind-borne to areas where they are of no value. Dusts contain primarily an active ingredient and a dense, free-flowing finely divided particulate extender. However, their performance is sometimes aided by the inclusion of a wetting agent such as those listed hereinbefore under wettable powder compositions and convenience in manufacture frequently demands the inclusion on an inert, absorptive grinding aid. Suitable classes of grinding aids are natural clays, diatomaceous earth and synthetic minerals derived from silica and silicate. Preferred grinding aids include attapulgite clay, diatomaceous silica, synthetic fine silica and sythetic calium and magnesium silicates.

The inert finely divided solid extender for the dusts can be either of vegetable or mineral origin. The solid extenders are characterized by possessing relatively low surface areas and are poor in liquid absorption. Suitable inert solid extenders for herbicidal dusts include micaceous talcs, pyrophyllite, dense kaolin clays, ground calcium phosphate rock and phyllite, and tobacco dust. The dusts usually contain from about 0.5 to 95 parts active ingredient, 0 to 50 parts grinding aid, 0 to 50 parts wetting agent and 5 to 99.5 parts dense solid extender, all parts being by weight and based on the total weight of the dust.

The wettable powders described above may also be used in the preparation of dusts. While such wettable powders could be used directly in dust form, it is more advantageous to dilute them by blending with the dense dust diluent. In this manner, dispersing agents, corrosion inhibitors, and anti-foam agents may also be found as components of a dust.

Emulsifiable oil formulations are usually solutions of active ingredient in water-immiscible or partially water-immiscible solvents together with a surface-active agent. Suitable solvents for the active ingredient of this invention include hydrocarbons and water-immiscible ethers, esters or ketones. Suitable surface-active agents are anionic, cathionic and non-ionic such as alkyl aryl polyethoxy alcohols, polyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol fatty esters, fatty alkylol amide condensates, amine salts of fatty alcohol sulfates together with long chain alcohols and oil soluble petroleum sulfonates or mixtures thereof. The emulsifiable oil formulations generally contain from about 5 to 95 parts active ingredient, about 1 to 50 parts surface active agent and about 4 to 94 parts solvent, all parts being by weight based on the total weight of the emulsifiable oil.

Granules are physically stable particulate formulations comprising active ingredient adhering to or distributed through a basic matrix of an inert, finely divided particulate extender. In order to aid leaching of the active ingredient from the particulate, a surface active agent such as those listed hereinbefore under wettable powders can be present in the composition. Natural clays, pyrophyllites, illite and vermicullite are examples of operable classes of particulate mineral extenders. The preferred extenders are the porous, absorptive, preformed particles such as preformed and screened particulate attapulgite or heat expanded, particulate vermiculite, and the finely divided clays such as kaolin clays, hydrated attapulgite or bentonitic clays. These extenders are sprayed or blended with the active ingredient to form the herbicidal formulations.

The mineral particles which are used in the herbicidal formulations usually have a size range of 10 to 100 mesh, but preferably such that a large majority of the particles have from 14 to 60 mesh with the optimum size being from 20 to 40 mesh. Clay having substantially all particles between 14 and 80 mesh and at least about 80 percent between 20 and 40 mesh is particularly preferred for use in the herbicidal formulations. The term "mesh" as used herein means U.S. Sieve Series.

The granular herbicidal formulations generally contain from about 5 parts to about 30 parts by weight of active ingredient per 100 parts by weight of clay and 0 to about 5 parts by weight of surface-active agent per 100 parts by weight of particulate clay. The preferred granular formulations contain from about 10 parts to about 25 parts by weight of active ingredient per 100 parts by weight of clay.

The herbicidal formulations can also contain other additaments, for example, fertilizers, plant growth regulants, pesticides and the like used as adjuvant or in combination with any of the above-described adjuvants.

When operating in accordance with the present invention, effective amounts of the active ingredients are applied to the plant system. By application to the "plant system" is meant the application of the active ingredient in or on soil or plant growth media and/or applied to above ground portions of plants in any convenient fashion. Application to the soil or growth media can be carried out by simply mixing with the soil, by applying to the surface of the soil and thereafter dragging or discing into the soil to the desired depth, or by employing a liquid carrier to accomplish the penetration and impregnation. The application of liquid and particulate solid herbicidal formulations to the surface of soil or to above ground portions of plants can be carried out by conventional methods, e.g. powder dusters, boom and hand sprayers and spray dusters. The formulations can also be applied from airplanes as a dust or a spray because of their effectiveness at low dosages. In a further method, the distribution of the active ingredients in soil can be carried out by admixture with the water employed to irrigate the soil. In such procedures, the amount of water can be varied with the porosity and water holding capacity of the soil to obtain the desired depth of distribution of the active ingredients.

The application of an effective amount of the active ingredients of this invention to the soil or growth media and/or plant is very important for the practice of one embodiment of the present invention. The exact amount of active ingredient to be employed is dependent upon such factors as the plant species and stage of development thereof, the specific soil and depth at which the active ingredients are distributed in the soil and the amount of rainfall as well as the specific active ingredient employed. In foliar treatment for the modification of vegetative growth, the active ingredients are applied in amounts greater than one pound and up to about 25 or more pounds per acre. Generally, application amounts of 5 lbs. or more per acre are preferred. It is believed that one skilled in the art can readily determine from the teachings of this specification the general procedure for any application.

In summary, in general the active ingredients may be formulated with the active ingredient in minor or major proportions in accordance with the table below:

    ______________________________________                                                               Concentration of                                         Type of Formulation   Active Ingredient                                        ______________________________________                                         1.   Granules of relatively                                                                              5 to 50%                                                  large particle size                                                       2.   Powdery dust         2 to 90%                                             3.   Wettable powders     2 to 90%                                             4.   Emulsifiable concentrates                                                                           5 to 95%                                             5.   Solutions            .01 to 95%                                           6.   One of the less common types                                                                        .01 to 95%                                                of formulations depending on                                                   the desired mode of application                                           ______________________________________                                    

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific modifications, the details thereof are not to be construed as limitations, for it will be apparent that various equivalents, changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and it is understood that such equivalent embodiments are intended to be included herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the preparation of a compound of the formula ##STR18## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, agriculturally acceptable cations, alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, phenoxy lower alkyl, lower alkyl thio lower alkyl and tetrafluorocyclobutylmethyl; R₁ is lower alkyl; and X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, halo, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; provided that X, Y and R may not simultaneously be hydrogen; which comprises reacting in the presence of acetic acid, a propenoic acid or ester having the formula ##STR19## and a hydrazine having the formula ##STR20## wherein R, R₁, X and Y are as defined above.
 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein R is alkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein R is ethyl.
 4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein R₁ is methyl, n-propyl or isopropyl. 